2020 Differential needle bearing failure

Update - it's crappy OEM tires causing this vibration. Needle bearing definitely solved the original vibrations, but my 3 year old, 35k mile Duellers are getting hard and probably need balanced again.

 

That’s good news, easy fix.

 

Whew….

 

66,000 miles 2021 tundra and toyota just authorized a 4th driver side front differential replacement. Glad I purchased extended warranty. This is crazy ! My plan is to replaced needle bearings with ESCG bushing kit when this differential craps out again . Don’t want to void warranty periods

 

damn... 53k on my 21 never had an issue. I am regeared to 5.29s with 37s

 

All Toyota is going to do is replace it with another needle bearing. Whether it makes the rhythmic groaning noise or not seems like kind of a crapshoot.

This is why I just went ahead and installed the ECGS bushing while still under warranty.

 

Toyota replaces the entire diff as they know it isn’t just the needle bearing that is the issue, but the diff carrier machining. The loose tolerances of the needle bearing just exacerbates it.

 

Interesting. My needle bearing was snug in the diff. Even with the ECGS tool, there was quite a bit of resistance to get it to pop out.

When I had my CV axle out, I put the needle bearing around it the same place it fits around it in the diff, and there was quite a bit of play in it.

 

Yea, mine was like that also. Here is the ECGS video where they talk about the root of the issue when comparing it to a Dana carrier.

https://youtu.be/BOvoM5irtEc

 

Just picked up truck from dealer service department. This is the fourth front carrier assembly replacement . $3,700 repair thankfully covered under extended warranty. I will replace needle bearing with ESCG bushing when warranty is out.

 

Just regeared to 5.29's and installed the ecgs bushing. The original needle bearing actually looked good for a 17 year old bearing.

 

Had opportunity to use t4WD the other day in a gravel snowed in parking lot . 4WD when engaged gear grinding when under load. Back to dealer this am for diagnosing issue . As noted this is the 4 th front differential carrier assembly that Toyota has installed and it’s still an issue .

 

Grinding in 4WD shouldn't be the needle bearing. Sounds like you have other underlying issues that need to be addressed.

 

In my opinion , it’s a poor install of differential carrier assembly . Service tech couldn’t replicate the noise . When I left dealer the other day , engaged 4WD high then accelerated hard , and gear grinding started .
Heading back to dealer tomorrow and will take service tech with me for a ride .